house, 1991 m²
Bordering on export table grape vineyards, this house enjoys a "rural setting" with
views over the vineyards towards mountain ranges on the south, east and west.
The house is one of the older houses within Riebeeck-Kasteel and is of historical value. It is very much "Cape Victorian" style, with a roof of corrugated iron gabled with clipped eaves at either end and supported by heavy poplar & oregan beamed ceilings and thick walls, making it sturdy and strong.
The main entrance of the house boasts original double oregan pine doors leading to an open plan entrance hall/ lounge, with floors of both Italian tiles and woolen carpets. The lounge opens onto the southern patio (with views over the vineyards) via a pair of "happy doors".
There are two (2) bedrooms downs stairs. Each of which shares an en suite
bathroom. Both bedrooms have poplar & oregan pine beams/ ceilings painted white. Both bedrooms open onto a patio via a pair of "happy doors". The bathroom has an oval bath, a toilet and generous shower, and an empire style wrought iron vanity stand with Bitterfontein granite top and underslung oval basin.
A retractable painted spruce staircase gains you access to the loft above (third bedroom). The staircase can be pulled up / retracted by means of an electrical hoist motor. A living area, ensuite bathroom oval bath, shower and basin and a wrought iron vanity stand and floors finished with Italian tiling and dressing room with free standing cupboards, this loft is used as the main bedroom. The cozy open plan living area has lime-washed flooring and ceiling fans over head, this room is undoubtedly stylish.
Downstairs you have an open plan kitchen cum dining room. The style of the kitchen is of an English country "small bone kitchen" which features 2 exposed heavy poplar beams overhead with a double volume space to the open plan loft above. The kitchen comes with a stainless steel under counter oven, hob and extractor fan and built in cupboards, followed by a spacious dining area to complete the picture.
An outbuilding has been converted into a tandem garage for 2 cars, which could be easily converted it into garaging for 4 cars or into a self contained cottage or entertainment room. At present there is an old forge which could be turned into a braai / fireplace.
The front garden is in the French classical style with iceberg roses and hedges of thyme and myrtle completed by a bow fronted water feature and gravel paths.
The remaining garden comprises an assortment of mature fruit and nut trees (almonds, pecans, macadamias, olives, prunes, pears, guavas, figs, naartjies, ruby grapefruit, mulberries, quinces, crimson seedless, saltanas & walton cross grapes) and also a large vegetable patch. The entire property is under a computerised irrigation system and also a borehole with a pump.
The property is enclosed with fencing, hedged with olive and dog roses and fully secured by a burglar alarm with PIR beams both inside & outside house, linked to ADT.
Other Features :
Entrance Hall
Lounge
Kitchen
Dining Room
Land Extent : 1991.00 M2
Background Information - Riebeek Kasteel & Riebeek West (The Riebeek Valley)
Introduction :
The valley and its twin towns, Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West, lie an hour northeast of Cape Town. The Riebeek Valley has to be one of the most picturesque spots in the Swartland. As Cape Town traffic has faded, you leave the N7 at Malmesbury. The Kasteelberg rises before you like a stone fortress. Drive over Bothmanskloof Pass, and there it is...
Lifestyle :
The valley became known for its eccentric artists, alternative lifestylers and genial locals. While village gossip and the ravaging summer heat are downsides, the balance of the year is great. It’s so beautiful, there’s very little crime, and the community spirit is excellent.
Riebeek Kasteel is the more elegant town, with a Eurocentric square surrounded by shops and restaurants. Yet Riebeek West has its own draw cards – large Victorian houses, and more peace and quiet. The Valley has a collection of restaurants, coffee-shops and bars which struggle to exist, and it still has the commercial disadvantage of being “on a back road”. No real commercial attractions exists and the Valley certainly do not have a population to support the hostelries that began to spring up.
For three centuries, the valley was the preserve of Afrikaans farmers. Fifteen years ago, things changed. The majority of the properties sold are not as holiday homes, but to people want to live in the Valley. Buyers are drawn by the scenic beauty, good schools, and the proximity to Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Tygervalley.
With the property boom and the olive festival has come a different type of settler. ‘It is no longer only the “artistic types” or retirees, but now includes the mainstream people & even more younger people who have made money and don’t need to be in the city. There are no real opportunities for employment in the Riebeek Valley, so you have to be self-sufficient – work from home, commute, or have a private income. As more companies outsource and employ less, people may as well live in a beautiful place and do business with a computer.’
Demographics :
88% of the population speak Afrikaans while only 2.5% speak English. 78% of the population of the Riebeek Valley is coloured, 18% white and 4% black.
History :
The solitary mountain was ‘discovered’ in 1661 during an expedition into the hinterland led by Corporal Pieter Cruythoff, and named ‘Riebeeck’s Kasteel’ in honour of the governor and his Cape castle. Later, Willem van der Stel offered land in the area to colonists, and the farms Allesverloren and Kloovenberg were established. Among the first farmers were Huguenots, who planted vineyards. Artisans including wagon makers joined the farming community in Riebeek Kasteel, while retired farmers settled in grander houses four kilometres away in Riebeek West.
Property Market :
The attraction of cheap property is no longer to be found as properties are as expensive as any in the better suburbs of Cape Town, and there is still very little infrastructure.
800m²-900m2 plots sell for R400 000;
Entry-level houses start at just under R1-million
The majority of properties sell between R1m- to R2m;
Top-end properties - over R4m.
Popularity peaked in 2004. Property in Riebeek Kasteel is the most expensive in the Swartland area. Capital growth over the last year increased only 4% while cheaper areas were catching up fast (Malmesbury 11%, Darling 47%, & Porterville with a 37% capital growth).
A handful of upmarket developments are taking root in the valley.
Average sale prices in the Swartland during 2006/7: Malmesbury (R623 000), Moorreesburg (R477 000), Riebeek West (R680 000), Riebeek Kasteel (R735 000), Porterville (R467 000), Darling (R618 000), Hopefield (R412 000), Citrusdal (R406 000), Clanwilliam (R530 000) and Piketberg (R427 000).
General information :
Restaurants :
According to the 2007 edition of Eat Out, there are no less than seven entries for the Riebeek Valley amongst South Africa's best 800 restaurants. The Barn, Bishops at the Riebeek Valley Hotel, Café Felix, Café Oppie Square, Cook and Gardener, Kasteelberg Inn and Bistro, Pleasant Pheasant.
- The Barn for views +27 22 448 1377
- Café Felix +27 22 448 1179
- Kasteelberg Bistro on Kasteel’s town square +27 22 448 1110
- L’Attitude for pizza +27 22 448 1440
For info on the olive festival and accommodation, visit
www.riebeekvalley.info
For valley information, see www.riebeekvalleyhandbook.co.za or call Riebeek Valley information at +27 22 448 1584, +27 22 461 2459 or Swartland Tourism +27 22 487 1133
(Sources : (1) Property Magazine / Catriona Ross (2) Property Scout (3) Riebeeck Valley Reporter – Chris Wright (4) Property24 )